A 30-year-old Chinese passenger had been arrested with 200 live scorpions at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) while attempting to smuggle them out to China this afternoon, Customs Director and Acting Spokesman Lal Weerakoon said.

He said the scorpions were found concealed in his baggage intended to Guangzhou, China.

The scorpions are prohibited to be taken out of the country.

The suspect was arrested by the security officers of Airport and Aviation Authority at the departure terminal of BIA.

Investigations were carried out under the instructions of Customs Deputy Director of (Airport) Seewali Arukgoda, Customs Superintendent P.V. Dharmapriyantha and Assistant Superintendent, J.C.M. Senarath, P.N.A. Dayananda, E.M.D. Niroshana, Harsha Rodrigo, K.M.B.N. Wijepala and B.P. Abethilaka under the guidance of Customs Additional Director General D.G. Senanayake. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)